GOP congressmen mulling Senate run

WASHINGTON -- After meeting for nearly 90 minutes Tuesday, Georgia's eight Republican congressmen made a troubling discovery: Half of them are considering running for Senate in November.

Jack Kingston, John Linder, Bob Barr and Saxby Chambliss have all expressed interest in the seat once held by Republican Paul Coverdell, who died last week of a stroke.

Some GOP officials had hoped one candidate would emerge from the meeting. The congressmen agreed that they must eventually mount a united front against Democratic former Gov. Zell Miller, appointed Monday by his successor, Gov. Roy Barnes.

''We're all talking, and we're all working on scenarios,'' Kingston said. ''The important thing right now is we're all unified. Nobody's sniping. Nobody's positioning. Nobody's doing an end around on his own agenda. We're vetting different aspects of the decision.''

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, attended the meeting, giving would-be candidates assurances they would receive financial help from the party. McConnell refused to divulge his preference.

Miller plans to run in a Nov. 7 special election for the right to finish the four years left in Coverdell's term. No other serious Democratic candidates are expected to run.

The election will be a ''round robin,'' meaning no primary will be held and the ballot isn't limited to one Republican or Democrat. For this reason, GOP officials are trying to make sure multiple Republicans don't jump in.

One rumored candidate -- Rep. Johnny Isakson -- withdrew from consideration early Tuesday. Isakson, a moderate who won a February 1999 special election to succeed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, denied reports that the party's conservative wing had talked him out of it.

''Whenever a man allows his ego to override his good judgment and commitments to others, he is no longer a public servant; he is just a politician,'' said Isakson, who has failed twice in statewide bids, including a run for governor against Miller.

Isakson joins Charlie Norwood and Mac Collins as the only congressional Republicans who have announced they won't run. Another, Nathan Deal, reportedly wasn't lobbying for the post during Tuesday's meeting.

Chambliss, who abruptly left the meeting before his colleagues, refused to answer questions on his way out.

But Rob Leebern, Chambliss' chief of staff, said the congressman had talked about a Senate run with his family and that Chambliss' wife, Julianne, would be willing to take a leave of absence from work if necessary.

Some party leaders are urging against a run by Chambliss, who is rumored to be the next House Budget chairman and represents a more moderate district than some of his colleagues.

''It would be a concern to us, and I'm sure it would be a major concern to the speaker,'' said Chuck Clay, Georgia Republican chairman. ''If Saxby wanted to make this plunge, we absolutely would have to have a candidate in that seat that could hold it.''

Barr's seat might also be at risk if he entered the Senate race. Roger Kahn, who will face former Polk County commissioner Jim Williams in a run-off for the Democratic nomination, had a campaign warchest topping $1.4 million.

Linder, who faces no opposition in November, said the Republicans discussed the threat of losing seats, specifically Barr's and Chambliss'.

Many believe Linder, who is in line to be chairman of the powerful Rules committee, most resembles Coverdell's philosophy and low-key approach. However, that might make him vulnerable during a debate with Miller.

Isakson said House Speaker Dennis Hastert has hinted that he would prefer no congressman seek the post. ''He talked to everyone, and he asked everyone to stay put,'' Isakson said.

While Clay said the congressional delegation was the most likely place to look for potential candidates, he said it wasn't the only place. Many other names have been floated, ranging from state lawmakers to former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed to Coverdell's widow, Nancy.

''Is there someone truly hungry enough and willing to walk away from their seats?'' Clay said. ''You look to (the congressmen) for all obvious reason -- politics, machinery and dollars, but it's not the only place you can look.''